Arena Expects Buddle to be Back with Galaxy in 2011

LA Galaxy
forward Edson Buddle has had a
terrific year, one that is still not over. The 2010 MLS MVP finalist is
currently in England, where
he is on trial with Birmingham
City on the English
Premier League.

Though Buddle has
seen his trial with Birmingham
City extended through
next Wednesday, LA Galaxy Head
Coach Bruce Arena is confident his
out-of-contract star striker will be back in MLS next season.

“We expect
to sign Edson to a new contract,” Arena told MLSSoccer.com’s ExtraTime Radio on
Thursday.

This is not
the first time Buddle has drawn interest from teams in Europe.
The 29-year-old New York City-area native had serious interest from
Norwegian side Frerikstad FK in 2006 while with Toronto FC.

Buddle is
expected to be back stateside once his trial ends around Dec. 22.

On
Wednesday, the Galaxy landed the rights to former New York Red Bulls Designated
Player Juan Pablo Ángel during Stage 2 of the Re-Entry Process, leading some to
speculate if Buddle would return in 2011—Arena quickly shot down those rumors.

“We would
anticipate Edson signing a new deal and I would have no problem playing those
two players (Buddle and Ángel) together,” he told the show’s hosts. “I don’t
see them being the same player. They are two potential target forwards, but I
suspect those two will do quite well together.”

Information from MLSSoccer.com's
Greg Seltzer was used in this report.